Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 596: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a boat (details supplied) remains the relief ferry servicing Cape Clear Island in west Cork; if so, if this is in accordance with the contract awarded to the current ferry operator in March 2007; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this boat is the main ferry operating to Bantry oil terminal at Whiddy Island and that it is on 24-hour stand-by to this facility; if his Department has received confirmation from a company that the boat can leave its Whiddy Island station at any time during the months of November to March to provide a relief service to Cape Clear Island; his views on whether this is an adequate service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11338/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The boat referred to by the Deputy is currently the nominated back-up vessel for the Cléire subsidised ferry service. As this arrangement is in accordance with the terms of the contract awarded in respect of the service, my Department has not had occasion to contact the company in question regarding the vessel's availability.

The provision of this service is governed by a comprehensive contract which is regularly monitored and is, in my view, adequate for the current requirements of the island community.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 597: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if all written complaints regarding ferry services to offshore islands are replied to by his Department; the departmental procedures undertaken to investigate these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11340/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of contracts for ferry services agreed by my Department, it is the responsibility of operators, in the first instance, to develop procedures for dealing with customer complaints and to consult with islanders on matters affecting the quality of service provided. If, having followed these procedures, service users still have issues to be addressed, they are entitled to bring their grievances to my Department, either verbally or in writing. Any such grievances will be investigated in consultation with the operator and/or other relevant parties and replied to in an appropriate manner.